Nobody sounded like McLuhan, a free-flowing yet extremly tight playing jazz-fusion sextet from Chicago, who recorded their sole album Anomaly over the space of three days in 1972. The bandmembers, who were students at the University of Illinois, named themselves after Canadian philosopher and media theorist Marshall McLuhan. The four long-form tracks, composed by David Wright, are all over the place, ranging from free-jazz, psychedelic prog, tidbits from musical scores, the MGM opening credits, and much, much more.
Describing it as Zappa-esque or full-on eclectic does not capture the full breadth of this record. This album is a cornerstone for early progressive rock by way of the Canterbury scene. The band had been playing live a longtime weekly residency at The Wise-Fools Pub in the lead-up to the recording sessions, so there is method in their madness. They knew what they wanted to achieve within the constraints of a limited time frame in the studio.
They shone brightly and then disbanded before the album hit the shops. Three of the original members - Neal Rosner, Paul Cohn and Tom Laney (now using his given surname Tojza) are part of the current incarnation of the band, playing the album in full around the Windy City. The general public will never catch up with them, but their cult status has given them a solid fan base, music lovers who never thought that they would hear it live.
McLuhan:
Dennis Stoney Philips: guitar, vocals
Tom Laney: organ, piano
David Wright: trumpet, vocals
Paul Cohn: flute, clarinet, tenor sax
Neal Rosner: bass, vocals
John Mahoney: drums, vocals
Guest musicians:
Bobby Christian: timpani (1), xylophone (1,3), chimes (3)
Michael Linn: drums (3)
Anomaly in released as a limited CD (300 copies) via Think Like A Key. The tracks were remastered by fabled retired sound engineer Prof Stoned. Extensive liner notes by Klemen Breznikar, founder of the independent It's Psychedelic! Baby Magazine.
- The Monster Bride
- Spiders (In Neal's Basement)
- Witches Theme And Dance
- A Brief Message From Your Local Media
- 08/30 Chicago, IL @ Martyrs'
- 09/06 Lake Zurich, IL @ Copper Fiddle Distillery
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